How Far Would You Go to Keep Your Internet Connection?

Tech giant Cisco Systems conducted a survey of 3,700 Gen-X, Gen-Y, and HR professionals in 15 countries. Cisco’s aim was to better understand “the current workplace environment from a technological standpoint and its shift towards becoming increasingly mobile, flexible and remote.” To do so, the survey asked its respondents about their use of computers, mobile devices, apps, and technological preferences and expectations. For the purposes of the study, Gen-X is defined as being 31-50 years old, and Gen-Y as 18-30 years old. That makes me, at 36, a member of the flannel grunge brigade, so interpret my take on the study through that lens.
Some of the findings from the study aren’t all that thrilling, like how many apps each person uses at work on a given day. But others, like exactly how attached these professionals are to the Internet, are definitely eye-opening.
The Cyborgs Are Coming
Let’s start with a big one: 26 percent of Gen-Y workers, and 21 percent of Gen-Xers, would be willing to surgically implant a device that linked the Internet directly to their thoughts, were such a device available. While such a device would probably make you everyone’s first pick as a Trivial Pursuit teammate, I have to wonder about the potential security concerns of such a device. Because no current Internet device is entirely secure against hacking, I’m not sure I want to open up my brain to being hacked. Actually, I’m sure I don’t.
To some, such a device probably isn’t much more than a natural evolution from artificial hearts and joints. But I do see a moral component to this: it’s bordering on giving yourself a superpower. If technology ever does reach this point, that’s when I’m getting off the tech train and officially becoming a Luddite.
A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet. We Think.
But 58 percent of each group says they’d rather lose their sense of smell than their Internet access, and I think I’d miss petrichor. And a surprising number, 22 percent of Gen-X and 24 percent of Gen-Y, would also give up their sense of taste rather than the Internet. Overall, not even funny cat pictures have the allure of pizza and chocolate.
From My Cold Dead Hands
People love their smartphones, too. If forced to choose between their TV and their smartphones, 76 percent of Gen-Y and 67 percent of Gen-X would choose the phone. That’s not a big shock. Only about a third of each group would rather give up electricity for a week than their phones, which is good, because only the dumbest of phones can go a week without charging. And did I mention people really love their smartphones? Because 48 percent of Gen-Y and 47 percent of Gen-X would rather give up sex for a month than their phone.
In what seems like related news, more of each group look at their phone first thing in the morning, rather than a loved one—in this case, we’ll give a pass to those waking up alone each morning. And in exchange for free cell phone service, 45 percent of Gen-Y would allow their provider unlimited access to their data; 30 percent would share that same information with the government, and 29 percent with their employer. For Gen-X, those numbers are 43, 29, and 27 percent, respectively.
2020 Vision
The study also gives a glimpse into what each generation expects from future technology. When asked what they though the most important connected device will be in 2020, 40 percent of Gen-Y said their phone, 25 percent their tablet, 23 percent wearables, 6 percent their car, and 5 percent named their personal robot assistant. Gen-Xers also placed phones first, but named wearables ahead of tablets, and the robot assistant ahead of cars.
It’s a Bird…It’s a plane…It’s a Supertasker!
Cisco defined supertasking as the ability to successfully do two or more things at once…without noticeable impairment. Given this definition, both groups named smartphones as the best tool for the job, followed by laptops and then desktop computers. Each feels supertasking makes them more efficient: 55 percent for Gen-Y, and 51 percent for Gen-X. That’s even though 55 percent of Gen-Y and 70 percent of Gen-X admit to mixing personal and professional tasks while supertasking. Maybe Gen-Y’s confidence stems from the fact that 56 percent believe their perceived efficiency comes from being “wired” differently than older Gen-X colleagues. Whatever the reason, 60 percent of Gen-X agrees their younger colleagues perform tasks faster when using mobile devices and apps.
Get Off My Lawn or Welcome Our New Tech Overlords
To be sure, there’s nothing wrong with one generation favoring a new technology over an older one. But at the risk of sounding like your grandfather, I feel a bit for the people so addicted to the Internet and the web that they’d trade human interaction and the things that make us human. That’s not necessarily a new complaint, so maybe I’m closer to being a Luddite than I thought.
I’m all for keeping your use of the Internet in perspective, and in balance. But when you are online, there’s no sense in settling for older tech and slow connection speeds. That’s one advance I’ll gladly accept.
What about you? Want faster Internet when you’re online?
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Image by m01229/Flickr

About the Author

Will Smith is a copywriter living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His favorite word is “petrichor,” and aside from wordplay, he loves reading history, watching Dodger baseball, and racing with the Sports Car Club of America.